Answer to Question #165090 in Economics for Jenna

Question

Tshepiso agrees to exchange her whole pear for two halves because she knows that this is a fair exchange. According to the Piagetian theory of development, Tshepiso demonstrates development of: 1) Subitising 2) Ordering 3) Seriation 4) Conservation 

Answer 1

To better understand some of the processes that take place during cognitive development, it is important to first examine several important ideas and concepts introduced by Piaget. Below are some of the factors that affect the learning and development of children.

Scheme of action. This concept describes both mental and physical actions associated with understanding and cognition of the surrounding world. Schemes are categories of knowledge that help us interpret and understand the world. From Piaget's point of view, the scheme includes both knowledge itself and the process of obtaining it. Once the child has gained a new experience, the new information is used to modify, supplement or replace the pre-existing schema. If you illustrate this concept with an example, then you can imagine a child who has a schema about a certain type of animal - a dog, for example. If until now the child's only experience was acquaintance with small dogs, then he may believe that absolutely all small, fluffy four-legged animals are called dogs. Suppose now that a child encounters a very large dog. The child will perceive this new information by including it in an already existing scheme.

Assimilation. The process of incorporating new information into pre-existing schemas is known as assimilation. This process is somewhat subjective, because, as a rule, we try to slightly change the new experience or the information received in order to adjust it to the already formed beliefs. The perception of a dog by a child from the above example and, in fact, its definition as a "dog" is an example of the assimilation of an animal with a child's dog pattern.

Accommodation. Adaptation also involves changing or replacing existing circuits in light of new information - that is, a process known as accommodation. It includes the very change of existing schemes or ideas as a result of new information or new impressions. During this process, completely new circuits can be developed.

Equilibration. Piaget believed that all children try to find a balance between assimilation and accommodation - this is achieved precisely with the help of a mechanism Piaget called balancing. As you progress through the stages of cognitive development, it is important to maintain a balance between applying pre-formed knowledge (that is, assimilation) and changing behavior in accordance with new information (accommodation). Balancing helps explain how children are able to move from one stage of thinking to another.

Answer: 1